NATURAL HAIRSTYLES | CERTIFIED STYLISH

Ever had a SERIOUS case of hair and wardrobe envy? *slowly raises hand* Guilty as charged! Sometimes you just come across ladies that bring that double trouble: amazing fashion sense and fabulous hair. On Styled in Black I will showcase inspirational women that are: CERTIFIED STYLISH! This month we are kicking off with a Grammy Award-winning singer (and Covergirl!) whom I consider a true style icon: Janelle Monáe.

Natural Hairstyles: The Updo Queen

Updos are a great way to spice up a simple look or to bring that extra drama. Janelle Monáe is known to do just that! With her signature pompadour hairstyles and flawless make up, she knows how to be her own kind of beautiful. Natural hair is super versatile, but you just have to know how to work with it. Although Janelle is more than crafty enough to handle her own tresses, hair stylist Caprice Green is her go-to girl. To maintain good natural hair health she loves to do steam treatments and protective styling.

Janelle shows that, besides ‘out there’, natural hairstyles can be simple and sleek as well. AND Miss Monáe scores extra points by showing us a million updo variations. LOVE!

Fashion: Androgynous charm

Every time I see Janelle, I have a major urge to suit up and glam up! (I have a previous blogpost to prove it. ;-)) Janelle’s twenties inspired style is considered androgynous, but I think it amazingly fierce. What I love is that she shows that you can cover up and still be feminine and sexy at the same time.

“I feel like I have a responsibility to my community and other young girls to help redefine what it looks like to be a woman. I don’t believe in men’s wear or women’s wear, I just like what I like. And I think we should just be respected for being an individual…. I’ve been in Vogue, now, and different publications, which is cool, because I think that it just shows a different perspective of how women can dress.” Janelle Monáe

Miss Monaé loves an occasional splash of color, but black and white ensembles and suits have become staples in her wardobe. Why, you ask?

“It’s a dedication to uniformity and I’m a minimalist by heart, but a lot of it had to do with me wanting to have a uniform like the working class, like my mom and my grandmother.” (source: Huffington Post)

Well, It’s crystal clear. Janelle Monáe knows how to dress for any occasion AND she rocks her natural hair updos like no other! With her well fitted monochrome outfits, fierce natural hairstyles and a serious dose of retro glam, Janelle is: CERTIFIEDSTYLISH!